Dialysis Amyloid by Charles van Ypersele (Professor, Nephrology Service, Professor, Nephrology Service, Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium)
Dialysis amyloidosis is a syndrome observed in dialysis patients characterized initially by joint pain, followed later by joint destruction. It is at present one of the few compliations in these patients. The factors involved in the genesis of this syndrome are not yet known with certainty and there is as yet no proven efficacious treatment otehr then renal transplantation. As a result, the interest in this topic among nephrologists remains very high. Dialysis amyloid gives general information on the pathophysiology, and the clinical aspects of all types of amyloidosis. It then goes on to discuss recently discovered B2, type of dialysis amyloidosis, from clinical and pathological features to physiological and pathophysiological aspects of this serious complication which effects patients suffering from chronic renal failure. This book will give nephrologists and rheumatologists a clear understanding of the dialysis amyloidosis syndrome as well as making a valuable contribution to identifying strategies for treatment and prevention.